YAC

Youth Advisory Council

The Community Foundation’s YAC is made up of high school students from all around the Tri-Cities area. YAC members meet during the school year to discuss and assess youth issues prevalent in the community, as well as to review grant proposals made to benefit youth in the community.

The YAC was established in 1991 thanks to a challenge grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Since then, over 200 students have served on the YAC, and the Youth Fund has generated almost $2 million in assets. More importantly, since its inception, the program has had the privilege to grant out about $1.2 million to programs that address relevant, pressing issues that face Tri-Cities youth.

YAC Membership

We accept applications for YAC membership each May from students going into their sophomore and junior years of high school.

The appplication process is currently closed.

Membership Duties & Responsibilities

Members of the GHACF YAC have the opportunity to make real change in our community by awarding grants to projects they feel are worthy of funding. This is a leadership position of leadership in the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg areas, and that means each member is held accountable for certain duties and responsibilities. They include:

Attendance at a minimum of 7 monthly meetings per school year. (August through May on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.) If you are unable to attend, you are responsible for notifying the adviser 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Committed, dedicated interest in learning about community youth issues through a variety of channels: collaboration, discussion, guest speakers, site visits, and possible regional meetings with other YACs in the State of Michigan.

Preparation for meetings, which can include reading multiple pages of grants.

Evaluation of all funding requests in a fair and equitable manner that reflects the Foundation’s mission and state grant criteria.

Active engagement in the meetings.

Responsible and mature representation of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.

Important Dates

If you’re a high school student interested in helping out your community, and you think you’d be a good candidate for a YAC membership, be sure to fill out an application! We love to hear from intelligent, community-minded students like you, and we look forward to reading your application. The timeline for the member selection process is as follows:

Youth Grant Program

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council awards grants annually to support local programs and projects that work to expand programming and opportunities for the young people in our community.

The same grant process and guidelines apply, however, please ensure your inquiry addresses one or more of the YAC Grantmaking Guidelines. Larger youth-focused grants may be reviewed by both the Grants Committee and the Youth Advisory Council for a co-funding opportunity.

Youth Grant Program

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council awards grants annually to support local programs and projects that work to expand programming and opportunities for the young people in our community.

The same grant process and guidelines apply, however, please ensure your inquiry addresses one or more of the YAC Grantmaking Guidelines. Larger youth-focused grants may be reviewed by both the Grants Committee and the Youth Advisory Council for a co-funding opportunity.

What does it mean to be a member of YAC?

Serving on the Youth Advisory Council is a great privilege for students, but your hard work also has a positive effect on our community, allowing you to make decisions to create opportunities for your peers today and tomorrow.

By serving on the YAC, members gain:

Important decision-making skills

Understanding of how to work in a group to award grants that benefit youth in our community.

Leadership experience, and the opportunity to participate in a state-wide youth leadership conference that focuses on philanthropy and service.

Knowledge and greater understanding of the needs of youth just like you in the community.

Being on YAC has developed my empathetic attributes, opened my eyes to new perspectives, and taught me the importance of giving back to a community that has given me so much.
Lilly Saunders,

YAC Member

My favorite part of YAC is the mindset of the group. It is a place that encourages deep and prospective thinking beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. YAC allows those with a passion for looking for meaningfulness and a deeper experience to flourish and grow in their understanding.
Matt Marcus,